On 21 June, 2019, the SIIS hosted a workshop on “China-CEECs Cooperation – Past and Future”. Mr. Richard KRPAČ, Consul General of Czech in Shanghai, Mr. Vassilis XIROS, Consul General of Greece in Shanghai, Mr. Dejan MARINKOVIC, Consul General of Serbia in Shanghai, Mr. Angel GEORGIEV, Vice Consul General of Bulgaria in Shanghai, and officials from Consulates General of CEECs countries in Shanghai attended the workshop. Participants also included scholars and experts from research institutions including the Shanghai Institute for European Studies and the Shanghai Academy for Social Sciences.
Professor Chen Dongxiao, President of SIIS met with the consular officials before the meeting. During the workshop, Prof. Yang Jiemian, Chairman of SIIS Academic Affairs Council, Professor Xu Mingqi, President of Shanghai Institute for European Studies, Mr. Richard KRPAČ, Consul General of Czech in Shanghai and Dr. Long Jing, Deputy Director of the Centre for European Studies at SIIS respectively gave presentations on the current situation of international politics, the prospect of China’s economic development, the latest progress made in China-CEECs cooperative mechanisms and SIIS’ research achievements in this field. Prof. Zhang Yinghong, Director of the Centre for European Studies moderated the workshop.
During the discussion session, Mr. Vassilis XIROS, Consul General of Greece in Shanghai indicated that the Belt and Road Initiative’s investment in the Port of Piraeus could bring huge economic benefits not only for Greece but also for the entire continent of Europe. Mr. Dejan MARINKOVIC, Consul General of Serbia in Shanghai pointed out that the year 2019 is not only the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, but also the 70th anniversary of the establishments of diplomatic relations between China and the CEECs. Mr. Marinkovic expressed an optimistic expectation for future cooperation between the two sides. Mr. Angel GEORGIEV, Vice Consul General of Bulgaria in Shanghai also said that it is a consensus among Bulgarian politicians to maintain cooperative and constructive relations with China.
